His son Jeremy, managing partner at Slade Legal, said: "David was not only a great lawyer but also a true entrepreneur.

"He was greatly respected and valued by his peers, colleagues and clients alike.

"He will leave a hole, not only in our business, but also in our community, that will be very hard to fill.

"However, he will also leave behind a legacy that will not fade."

Mr Hodson, father-of-two and grandfather-of-three, was born in 1942 and moved to Abingdon from Chester in 1954 when he was 12.

A former pupil of Larkmead School in Abingdon, he set up his own law firm in 1971, called David Hodson & Co, in the Market Place. In 1989 he opened a chain of estate agents – Hodsons in Abingdon, Didcot and Wantage.

Mr Hodson's law firm later became Slade Legal in Abingdon, Didcot and Wallingford.

Mr Hodson, who first became ill in March this year, died on August 26 at Sobell House hospice in Headington.

His family has thanked staff at the hospice for caring for Mr Hodson and invited people to make donations to the Sobell House Hospice Charity.

In his spare time Mr Hodson was a volunteer for St John Ambulance, becoming a superintendent when he was 24, and enjoyed gardening, food and wine, and spending time with his family and friends.

He became Commander for Oxfordshire St John Ambulance in 2002 and retired in 2011.

Mr Hodson was also a member of Abingdon Drama Club for a many years and appeared in a number of productions and helped out behind the scenes.

Mr Hodson lived in Abingdon with wife Geraldine. They married in October 2014.

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